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It's Never Been Like That
by
It's Never Been Like That Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 47 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the third studio album for the French synth-rock band.

Top Track

Long Distance Call
Where to go I had no idea 26.10 was the price to pay A messed up kid with no ideals at all I thought those 26.10 I shouldn't give'em away I remember... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 25
  3. Negative: 2 out of 25
  1. The A.V. Club
    100
    It's Never Been Like That has the necessary edge of real art, but it's approachable right down to the final song, "Second To None," with its deep echo and thin lines.
  2. Prefix Magazine
    80
    A concise killer of an album.
  3. Billboard
    80
    This is the kind of record the Strokes and countless other newfangled pop/rock groups have been trying to make over the first half of the decade. But nobody's done it with such effortless flair as Phoenix.
  4. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    One wonders if the qualities that make Phoenix appealing--breeziness, insouciance--will ultimately translate into enduring music. [26 May 2006, p.105]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Paste Magazine
    70
    A lively album with a strong melodic sense. [Aug 2006, p.90]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. The Guardian
    60
    All that's standing in the way of a major breakthrough is a certain facelessness, exacerbated by Mars's reticent style.
  7. Dusted Magazine
    30
    A puny, ill-conceived record in comparison to both Alphabetical and its predecessor United.

See all 25 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. ShaneL
    Oct 20, 2006
    10
    I just came across this bank on XM Radio, XMU. I can't quit listening to it, and its the first time a cd's been good enough to buy I just came across this bank on XM Radio, XMU. I can't quit listening to it, and its the first time a cd's been good enough to buy off i-pod just because I can't wait to get to the store. I love cool new music, just rare to find anything mainstream anymore.… Expand
  2. Chris
    Aug 22, 2006
    10
    Their best work since United, this is an album by a band truly maturing both as songwriters and musicians. They rely a lot less on studio Their best work since United, this is an album by a band truly maturing both as songwriters and musicians. They rely a lot less on studio trickery and pull off a confident live act feel.… Expand
  4. SeamusS
    Sep 20, 2006
    10
    An inescapably catchy album filled with some of the most brillaint and fast hooks in my knowledge of contemporary pop. The album flows An inescapably catchy album filled with some of the most brillaint and fast hooks in my knowledge of contemporary pop. The album flows without one week track, paced out beautifully without filler. The second best album of 2006 by far.… Expand
  5. DorianGrey
    May 28, 2006
    9
    Fantastic, although, like the best power-pop, it has no staying power...it'll give you three solid days of fun, though, and then, a few Fantastic, although, like the best power-pop, it has no staying power...it'll give you three solid days of fun, though, and then, a few months from now, another couple of days of bliss, and so on...not the record of the year by any means, but a fine effort from a band I had consigned to a few brilliant tracks and two lackluster LP's… Expand
  6. keniy
    Jun 25, 2006
    9
    Definite Summer play! They have fully broken awy from Air - but took with the the emense production senibility. This album makes you listen Definite Summer play! They have fully broken awy from Air - but took with the the emense production senibility. This album makes you listen much more - but once you ctach thier new vibe you're into it - Would've liked a few of the shamelessly pop songs from the previous CDs. Nothing amazing - but far better played out than most US conterparts. If you have a sunday brunch put this on - i dont think you'll have any complaints - but your next cd better have some kick 0p at least strong contenuity.… Expand
  7. matta
    Jun 16, 2006
    9
    This is a solid pop rock album. Nothing more. If you want something deep and good, check out Beirut or Sunset Rubdown. These are albums with This is a solid pop rock album. Nothing more. If you want something deep and good, check out Beirut or Sunset Rubdown. These are albums with serious staying power. But as far as just a good, catchy summer album goes-this is great stuff. People who say otherwise are just trying to hard to be cool.… Expand
  8. Andy
    Aug 22, 2006
    7
    I dig it, but its nothing we havn't heard before.

See all 14 User Reviews

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